The Body Swap (completed)

CHP12

Ethan sighed deeply as he leaned on the table. "Trouble just keeps on finding its way to you, you know that?"

She had just finished telling the whole story to her father and his team. Just by their faces, Alex can tell that a part of them just don't believe her.

"Dad, these guys are killing innocent people like they're lab rats. And if that psycho succeeds into whatever his intentions are, the lives of millions  will be at stake!"

He took a gun. Grabbing a handful of bullets, he started loading it.

"Dad, come on you guys are the only ones we've got against them.Please?" Alex pleaded. She knew what she was saying sounded impossible but the truth is the truth.

He paused and looked at her.

"I never said anything about not helping you Xandra."Ethan loaded the last bullet in. He proudly held the gun in his arms. "It is our job to stop jackasses. Ain't that right guys?" He turned his head towards their direction.

"Besides, you're my daughter. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Speaking of which, what did you do to those bombers?"Luke asked inquisitively.

"Oh don't worry about them kid, they're in a very safe place.... surrounded by their own crap." A grin twisted on his face.

"And by the way, are you not bluffing about your switching problem with this kid here?"Alex guessed that the man was Steel. There was something about him that made her know the man. She can remember him somehow from her childhood. In fact she can remember all of them but it's just not vivid.

Luke straightaway winced, remembering his first encounter of menstrual period. And the fact that he kissed a guy.

Nick leaned and whispered to Luke. "Are you okay? You seem a bit off."

"I'm okay. Just remembered something." , he whispered back.

Their attention turned back to Alex who was busy communicating with them." I'm not. It may seem impossible and it may sound like some freaky Friday crap but it's actually scientifically possible.", Alex said.

"Your kid's right." Everyone looked at Hacker who was busy typing and was looking at the computer screen. "Viktor Stanley. A scientist who was part of the Science Intelligence Association . Due to the refusal of support on his project , the man quit and disappeared. A week after he quit, S.I.A. burnt down by some unknown causes. Obviously his doing.
And here we got a few news report about laboratories and facilities burning down as well. He's still obviously the one who did this crap. Probably to take equipment for his project. Oh! We also got cases of missing people. Their bodies soon found after. Mutilated. Deformed..."

On one of the computer screens were bodies of mutilated people. Alex felt like throwing up along with Nick and Luke. The clear image of those piled bodies of people she saw that night flashed in her head making her even more sick.

"Jesus Christ."Luke blurted out before looking away from the brutal images on the screen. Nick was already gagging but nothing came out of his throat.

"We got 51 mutilated bodies so far. I see no recent news report or articles about this but I do see a bunch of missing people.."

Dozens of pictures of people showed up on the screen and Alex immediately recognized the woman she saw that night. She's the latest reported missing person on the list. She felt a pang of guilt and pity for the woman. There was a chance she could've saved her but she failed.

"Up until now, people believe that this dude died in that S.I.A. fire incident. Great this guy is a dead man!"

Sonya moved closer to the screen, analyzing the information. "So wh-" The ringing of Alex's phone stopped her statement. Alex pulled out her phone from her pocket and accepted the call.

Ethan and the others were silent, wondering who could it be?

"Hi mom! What made you call?"

"Oh you know...the package and the fact that my daughter is nowhere to be seen! Where are you?!"Her tone went from calm to angry to worried.

"Don't worry mom I'll be back there soon."

"You better. Daniel is here and I want the three of us to eat together."

"Yeah okay. I'm gonna hang up now." She hung up. Alex couldn't help but be hungry.The thought of Daniel cooking made her stomach rumble. She's not really comfortable around the man but he sure knows how to cook.

"And that would be Vi looking for you"Ethan sighed. "I better drop the three of you there before crap gets serious."

"And you better hurry back, I don't want to be around these fools."Sonya stated.

"Oh shut up Sonya."Gunman exclaimed. "Before I shoot you."He silently added.

"I heard that jackass."

"Just wait till I get back and try to not kill each other would you?" He motioned towards the three and guided them towards the door.

On the way back home, nothing can be heard. The silence was unbearable. Alex had million of questions running through her head. She just didn't know how to start. Thankfully, Ethan spoke first.

"By the way, how is your mom?" His eyes were still focused on the road.

"She's doing great. Still the same old her but she's doing great."

And once again, silence was circulating in the car.

Alex couldn't take it. She had to say something. "Dad, why won't you just show yourself to mom? I mean it's been a long time."

The wind sighed through the window of the car. Luke and Nick sat in the backseat, listening intently to their conversation.

He glanced at her. "You two are already doing great. She doesn't need to see me anymore. Besides , Vi will probably shove her fist up my arse. You know her when she's on her beast mode."

"Why would she be on her beast mode?"

He let out a low chuckle"Trust me. My mere presence will turn her into a raging beast."

The car stopped a block away from their house. "You guys walk from here. I can't risk getting seen." He paused for a moment. Concern was plastered on his face. "Xandra, stay safe okay?" With that, the black car where her father is drove off.

Alex stood on the road , watching the car until it can't be seen. Luke stood behind her, both his hand on his pockets

"Well Alex, we found your dad. We'll call that a day shall we? Time for Nick and me to head back." They started to walk away but she grabbed Luke's wrist before they had a chance to.

Luke looked at Alex confused. "Since you guys are already here, why don't you eat at our place?"

He looked over to Nick who was grinning goofily at him. 'What the hell is with that face?'

"Also, it's going to be awkward there because mom's got her boyfriend over. That's not the only thing, you are going to help me face the devil and make up a reason."

He agreed.

Alex's hand was still on his wrist. Luke's face flushed a bright pink for a moment. "You can let go of me now." She let go and he put back his hand in his pocket.

Shame splashed all over Alex like a dose of cold water.

'Just because you held his hand doesn't mean you're doing something wrong. You're not betraying Sean in any way.'